On the cost issue, all I can say (going through it a second time right now) is that the 'opportunities' to spend money seems to me to have gone up dramatically...not because of inflation, but because the sheer volume of 'special invites' from all over has to be about 10 times more than just 6 years ago.
Even having gone through 'this' before, I have an incredibly hard time sorting through it all. Whats really important? What really puts you in a position to get some one-on-one time with a coach you like? Which showcases will really have college coaches there? Etc..., etc...
On a somewhat humorous note, one camp invite sent by email addressed to "Dear [INSERT FIRSTNAME]" was easy to discard!
